The first time I grew microgreens from pea seeds picked up at a hardware store, germination was uneven and half the tray rotted before it reached harvest. The seeds were fine for planting outdoors; they were not suited to the dense, humid conditions of a microgreens tray. Microgreens seeds differ from standard garden seeds in ways that matter at the tray level, and understanding those differences changes which seeds you buy and where you buy them.
This guide covers 12 microgreens varieties in detail: which ones succeed on a first grow, which ones reward patience, and which ones to attempt only after you have a few successful harvests behind you. If you are still deciding on a growing setup, the microgreens growing kit guide covers tray systems, growing media, and what to look for in a starter kit. Once you have your setup sorted, the seed choice is where the real decisions start.
Why Microgreens Seeds Are Different from Garden Seeds
Garden seeds are bred and treated for outdoor germination over weeks in variable conditions. Microgreens seeds are selected for high germination rates at high seeding density in warm, humid, fast-cycle conditions. Two differences matter most.
Untreated seeds: Garden seeds are often coated with fungicides or treated with chemical primers to improve outdoor survival. In a microgreens tray, those coatings leach into the growing medium and contact the part of the plant you eat. Microgreens seeds are sold untreated and food-safe.
Germination rate: A garden seed packet might show 75 to 80 percent germination as acceptable. For microgreens, where you seed at 10 to 20 times the density of an outdoor planting, a 90-plus percent germination rate is standard. Lower germination produces bare patches, uneven growth, and wasted growing medium.
You can grow microgreens from standard vegetable seeds if they are untreated and from a reliable source, but germination rates are lower and results less predictable. For consistent results, buy seeds sold specifically for microgreens use.
The 12 Best Microgreens Seeds: Variety Comparison Table
The table below covers the 12 varieties in this guide, sorted from beginner to advanced. Days to harvest are measured from planting under standard indoor conditions (68 to 75 degrees F, good air circulation, and a proper blackout period). For a deeper look at which varieties work best for specific uses, see the best microgreen seeds guide.
| Variety | Soak Required | Days to Harvest | Flavor Profile | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | Yes (8 hrs) | 10-14 | Nutty, hearty | Beginner |
| Radish | No | 6-8 | Spicy, peppery | Beginner |
| Pea Shoots | Yes (8-12 hrs) | 10-14 | Sweet, mild | Beginner |
| Mustard | No | 6-8 | Sharp, spicy | Beginner |
| Broccoli | No | 7-10 | Mild, slightly earthy | Intermediate |
| Kale | No | 8-12 | Mild, earthy | Intermediate |
| Beet | Yes (8 hrs) | 10-14 | Earthy, sweet | Intermediate |
| Amaranth | No | 8-12 | Mild, earthy | Intermediate |
| Cilantro | Yes (8-12 hrs) | 14-21 | Bold, herbaceous | Advanced |
| Basil | No (seed dry) | 12-18 | Intense sweet basil | Advanced |
| Fennel | Optional (24 hrs) | 14-21 | Anise, distinctive | Advanced |
| Celery | No | 14-21 | Sharp, celery-like | Advanced |
Beginner Varieties Worth Starting With
These four varieties have the highest germination rates, the most forgiving growing conditions, and the fastest feedback loops. If a tray fails with one of these, the cause is almost always a correctable technique issue rather than a seed problem.
Sunflower
Sunflower microgreens are the most forgiving variety for a first grow. The seeds are large, easy to handle, and germinate reliably at room temperature. Soak them for 8 hours before planting to soften the hull. They need a full blackout period of 3 to 4 days during germination; skip it and you get leggy, pale shoots rather than dense, dark-green growth. Harvest at 10 to 14 days when the seed leaves have opened fully. The flavor is nutty and substantial, the kind of microgreen that works as a salad base rather than a garnish.
I grow sunflowers in a 10×20 tray with coconut coir as the growing medium. The two things that catch beginners are seeding too thin and skipping the weight during germination. Pack the seeds closely, cover with a second tray, and stack something flat and heavy on top. It compresses the medium, keeps moisture even, and forces taller, straighter shoots.
Radish
Radish germinates faster than almost any other microgreen: most trays show visible sprouts within 24 to 48 hours at room temperature. No soaking needed. The peppery flavor develops within the first week, and by day 6 to 8 you have harvestable shoots with the heat level of a mild radish. Daikon varieties produce more volume than globe radishes; both work well.
Radish is the best first variety if you want fast feedback. The quick turnaround means mistakes become visible within days rather than weeks, and the margin for error is higher than with slower or more fragile varieties.
Pea Shoots
Pea shoots, grown from whole dried peas, produce sweet, mildly flavored tendrils that work in salads, stir-fries, and as a standalone snack. Soak for 8 to 12 hours before planting. They are larger seeds that need more growing medium depth than something like broccoli. Harvest window runs 10 to 14 days; leave them longer and the flavor sharpens. You can often get a second cut from pea shoots, though the second harvest is thinner.
One distinction worth noting: buy dried whole peas specifically for sprouting or microgreens use. Peas sold for eating are sometimes treated with anti-sprout agents; germination rates drop significantly with those.
Mustard
Mustard germinates quickly, 6 to 8 days, with no soaking required. The flavor is sharply spicy: more aggressive than radish, with a horseradish-like heat in some varieties. Use it as an accent rather than a base. Southern Giant Curled is a popular variety with feathery leaves and high yield per tray. Mustard is a good fourth variety to add once you are comfortable with sunflower and radish, because it grows similarly but delivers a different flavor profile.
Intermediate Varieties to Try Next
These varieties require slightly more attention to seeding density, moisture management, or growing conditions than the beginner group. Results are reliable with basic technique; the main difference is that mistakes show up more clearly.
Broccoli
Broccoli microgreens are mild, slightly earthy, and popular among growers focused on nutrition. The seeds are small, which makes even seeding more important than with larger varieties: bare patches show up quickly. No soaking required. Germination runs 7 to 10 days. Penn State Extension research has documented sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts and microgreens, which is the compound most commonly cited in health contexts. Whether you grow broccoli for flavor or nutrition, the seed cost is low and yield per tray is good.
Kale
Kale microgreens share growing requirements with broccoli and work well grown together in separate trays or side by side with a divider. The flavor is mild and earthy without the bitterness of mature kale leaves. Germination runs 8 to 12 days. Yield per tray is good and the flavor pairs with a wider range of dishes than the more pungent varieties.
Beet
Beet microgreens are the most visually distinctive of the intermediate varieties: vivid magenta stems with small round leaves that add color to any dish. The seeds are actually seed clusters, two or three seeds fused together, so soaking for 8 hours helps separate the cluster and improve germination consistency. The flavor is earthy and sweet. Expect 10 to 14 days to harvest and some variability between plants because of the cluster seed structure. For plating and food photography purposes, beet microgreens are worth the extra preparation step.
Amaranth
Amaranth produces vivid magenta or pink stems similar to beet but with a different leaf shape: small, round, and delicate. The seeds are tiny, which makes seeding by hand slow. No soaking required. Germination is reliable at 8 to 12 days. The flavor is mild and earthy. Most growers choose amaranth for its color rather than its taste; it works well as a garnish or mixed into trays with green varieties for visual contrast.
Advanced Varieties for Experienced Growers
These four varieties have lower germination rates, longer growing times, or more specific environmental requirements. Grow them after you have a few consistent harvests behind you.
Cilantro
Cilantro is one of the slowest microgreens varieties: 14 to 21 days from planting to harvest. The seeds are actually dried fruits containing two seeds each; scoring them lightly with sandpaper and soaking for 8 to 12 hours improves germination. Even with preparation, germination rates are lower than beginner varieties. The flavor is intensely herbaceous, the same bold cilantro character as the mature herb but concentrated. Worth growing if you use cilantro regularly in cooking.
Basil
Basil forms a gel coating when wet, which helps it adhere to the growing medium but makes it sticky and difficult to spread evenly. Seed dry, directly onto moist (not wet) growing medium. Basil needs consistent warmth above 70 degrees F; temperatures that drop at night produce slow, patchy germination. Harvest at 12 to 18 days. The flavor is intense sweet basil. If you want to grow basil microgreens regularly, a heat mat under the tray makes germination more consistent in cooler spaces.
Fennel
Fennel requires patience: 14 to 21 days to harvest, with slow and sometimes uneven germination. A 24-hour pre-soak in cool water helps soften the seed coat and improves consistency, though it is not strictly required. The anise-like flavor is distinctive and works in small amounts as a flavoring element rather than a bulk green. Fennel is worth growing if you use it regularly in cooking; otherwise the long growing time and lower germination rate make it a lower-priority variety.
Celery
Celery microgreens have a sharp, intensely celery-like flavor and take 14 to 21 days to reach harvest. The seeds are very small and germination is slow. No soaking required. Most growers use celery microgreens in small quantities as a flavor accent in soups, juices, or salads. The difficulty is primarily patience: the tray occupies space for 3 weeks and the yield is lower than faster varieties. Grow celery when you specifically want the celery flavor at microgreen intensity.
Buying Microgreens Seeds in Bulk
If you grow microgreens regularly, buying microgreens seeds in bulk cuts the per-tray cost significantly. A 5 lb bag of sunflower seeds typically seeds 15 to 20 trays; the cost per tray with bulk seeds is a fraction of what you pay for small retail packets.
When buying in bulk, verify three things before ordering. First, the seeds must be untreated and food-safe; some bulk suppliers sell agricultural seeds coated with fungicides. Second, check the germination date: seeds stored more than 2 years from the harvest date show declining germination rates. Third, buy from suppliers who specialize in sprouting or microgreens rather than general agricultural seed companies; the selection and testing standards are calibrated differently.
Reliable bulk suppliers in the US include True Leaf Market, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, and Mountain Valley Seed Company. All three sell untreated microgreens-grade seeds in quantities from ounces to multiple pounds.
Store bulk seeds in a sealed container in a cool, dark, dry location. A glass jar with a tight lid works well. Most microgreens seeds maintain viable germination rates for 1 to 2 years when stored correctly; varieties like radish stay viable longer. Label each jar with the variety name, purchase date, and expected germination rate so you can track performance over time.
Rainbow Mix Microgreens: What You Are Actually Buying
Rainbow mix microgreens combine multiple varieties in a single packet, typically a blend of radish, beet, kale, kohlrabi, and sometimes mustard. The visual appeal is the main selling point: the mix produces trays with varied stem colors and leaf shapes that work well as garnishes and photograph well.
The practical challenge with mixed seeds is that varieties germinate and mature at different speeds. A mix containing both radish (6 to 8 days) and beet (10 to 14 days) will have radish at harvest readiness while beet is still developing. Most growers harvest the tray when the majority of varieties are ready and accept that some are slightly past peak while others are slightly under.
If you want visual variety with more control over harvest timing, growing individual varieties side by side in the same tray, separated by a cardboard divider, gives you the same mixed visual with independent harvest windows. For a beginner, the pre-blended rainbow mix is a reasonable starting point. For regular growers, building your own blend from separate varieties produces better results and costs less per tray when bought in bulk.
Common Questions About Microgreens Seeds
Can You Use Regular Vegetable Seeds for Microgreens?
You can, with conditions. The seeds must be untreated: no fungicide coatings, no chemical primers. Standard garden seeds often carry these treatments. If you can confirm the seeds are untreated, they will germinate in a tray; germination rates will typically be lower than seeds selected specifically for microgreens use, and results will be less consistent. For occasional growing from seeds you already have, it works. For regular production, seeds sold for microgreens use produce better and more predictable results.
What Seeds Should a Beginner Use for Microgreens?
Sunflower, radish, and pea shoots are the three best starting varieties. All three have high germination rates, visible growth within days, and forgiving growing windows. Radish is the fastest; sunflower produces the most volume per tray; pea shoots offer the widest harvest window and the best second-cut potential. Start with two of these three on your first grow and add a fourth variety, like mustard or broccoli, once you have one consistent harvest behind you.
Which Microgreens Seeds Need Soaking Before Planting?
Seeds that need soaking: sunflower (8 hours), peas (8 to 12 hours), beet (8 hours), cilantro (8 to 12 hours, with scoring). Seeds that do not need soaking: radish, broccoli, kale, mustard, amaranth, celery. Basil should be seeded dry because wetting activates the gel coating, making it difficult to spread evenly. Fennel benefits from soaking but grows without it.
What Are the Highest-Yield Microgreens Seeds?
Sunflower and pea shoots produce the most biomass per tray because the seeds are large and the plants have more stored energy to draw on during the germination and growth phase. Sunflower is the more practical high-yield choice for home growing because it seeds more easily and the harvest is more consistent tray to tray. If yield per tray is your priority, grow sunflower. If flavor per volume is your priority, grow radish or mustard.
Are Rainbow Mix Microgreens Seeds Worth Buying?
For a first or second grow, yes. The mix reduces the number of seed sources you need to manage and produces visually varied results without running multiple separate trays. For regular growing, buying separate varieties gives you more control over harvest timing and lets you grow more of the varieties you actually use. The cost per gram is higher for pre-blended mixes than for individual varieties bought in bulk. Use a mix to start, then transition to individual varieties as you identify which ones you grow most often.
How to Store Microgreens Seeds Long-Term
Seed viability decreases with heat, humidity, and light exposure. Most microgreens seeds maintain high germination rates for 1 to 2 years under the right conditions; some varieties, like radish and mustard, stay viable for 3 years or more.
Store seeds in sealed, airtight containers away from direct light and heat sources. Glass jars with rubber-sealed lids work well and do not absorb moisture the way plastic bags can. Keep containers in a cool location: a kitchen cabinet away from the stove, a pantry, or a basement shelf. Avoid the refrigerator unless you are storing large quantities for multi-year use, in which case a sealed, moisture-proof container works well in a consistent-temperature fridge.
Label every container with the variety, purchase or harvest date, and expected germination rate. Run a germination test before planting a full tray from seeds stored more than a year: place 10 seeds on a damp paper towel, fold it over, and check after the expected germination window for that variety. If fewer than 7 of 10 sprout, the germination rate has dropped enough to affect tray quality.
For building out your microgreens growing setup beyond seed selection, the pillar guide covers the full range of equipment, techniques, and variety options for home growers at every level.